Speaker

ABSTRACT

A speaker has a relay portion disposed on a resin frame for relaying the connection between a terminal and a voice coil. The relay portion comprises a clamping section and a wall section, and is configured so that a flexible wire does not make contact with a diaphragm or a damper during operation of the speaker. The assembly operation for placing and fixing the flexible wire becomes quite easy, and the number of components can be reduced among the speakers in accordance with the present invention.

This application is a 371 of PCT/JP00/06830 filed Oct. 2, 2000 whichclaims benefit of Provisional Appl. Ser. No. 60/163,459 filed Nov. 4,1999.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a loudspeaker (speaker) for use intelevision receivers, stereophonic apparatus, sound recording apparatusand the like audio-visual appliances, and more specifically, to astructure of the speaker.

BACKGROUND ART

Among the speakers developed recently, a terminal for connection with asound signal amplifier is often disposed somewhere in a front part ofthe speaker for easy connection with an amplifier contained in anapparatus. The above-described arrangement for connection is popularamong the speakers used in car-borne sound apparatus.

A conventional speaker is described referring to FIGS. 11 through 13.

As shown in FIGS. 11 through 13, a conventional speaker mainlycomprises:

-   -   a. a magnetic circuit 7 formed of a bottom plate 7B having a        center pole, a ring-shaped magnet 7C, an upper plate 7D and a        magnetic gap 7A;    -   b. a plastic frame 1 connected to the magnetic circuit 7;    -   c. a voice coil 3 formed of a coil inserted in the magnetic gap        7A of magnetic circuit 7, and a voice coil bobbin around which        the coil is wound;    -   d. a damper 4 for supporting the voice coil 3, said damper 4        being connected at an inner circumference with the voice coil 3,        and at an outer circumference with the frame 1;    -   e. a diaphragm 5 connected at an outer circumference with the        frame 1 via an edge portion, and at an inner circumference with        the voice coil 3; and    -   f. a speaker terminal (hereinafter referred to as ST) 2 mounted        to the frame 1.

A conventional speaker further comprises:

-   -   a pair of relay terminals 9 for internal connection, attached to        the frame 1;    -   a flexible wire (hereinafter referred to as FW) 6, one end being        connected with an end of the coil of the voice coil, and the        other end being connected with the relay terminal 9; and    -   a relay cord 10, one end being connected with the relay terminal        9, and the other end being connected with a terminal plate 2 b.

The above-described ST 2 comprises:

-   -   a case 2A for accepting a connector coupled to a sound signal        amplifier of an apparatus (not shown);    -   the terminal plate 2 b provided in the case 2A by a        press-fitting method or by outsert molding, for coupling with        the connector; and    -   a terminal hole 2 c formed in terminal plate 2 b into which the        relay cord 10 (to be described later) is inserted to be        soldered.

In the above-configured conventional speaker, the FW 6 should always bemanaged to not make contact with neighboring components (damper,diaphragm), even when the ST 2 is located close to the diaphragm 5. WhenFW 6 makes contact with the neighboring components, the speakergenerates abnormal sounds, or in some cases it is broken.

During assembly of conventional speakers, operators carefully placed theFW 6 in a location most appropriate for avoiding the above-describedcollision of the components. The connecting operation around the relayterminal 9 requires special skills and laborious work; therefore, it isone of the costly items in the assembly of speakers. In addition, theconventional speakers have many connection points (soldering points),which means that they have a relatively high possibility of poorconnections or broken wires.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the above problems, and a speaker inaccordance with the present invention comprises:

-   -   a FW which is connected at one end with a winding of a voice        coil, and at another end with a terminal plate of a ST mounted        on a frame;    -   a clamping portion provided on the frame at a place between the        voice coil and the ST, which relay portion comprises a clamping        section for clamping the FW; and    -   a wall section formed at the voice coil side of the clamping        portion for having the FW disposed along the surface.

The clamping portion clamps a FW to fix it in place, while the wallsection regulates a position of the FW. Under the above configuration, arelay cord can be eliminated. Thus, the number of components can bereduced, and generation of abnormal sounds during operation of a speakerdue to collisions of a vibrating FW with other components (damper,diaphragm) can be avoided in accordance with the present invention toprovide an excellent speaker.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a speaker in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view showing a half portion of a speaker inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a relay portion of the speaker shown inFIG. 2.

FIG. 4A is a side view of the relay portion shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4B is a side view of the relay portion with a FW clamped.

FIG. 5 shows the speaker of FIG. 2 attached with a FW, as viewed fromabove.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of another example of the relay portion.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of another example of a ST.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of still another example of the ST.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing how FWs are connected to the ST ofFIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing how a FW is connected directlyto a voice coil in a speaker using the ST of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a conventional speaker.

FIG. 12 is cross sectional view showing a half portion of the speaker ofFIG. 11.

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of the ST of FIG. 11.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

First Embodiment

A speaker in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention is described referring to FIGS. 1 through 5. Constituent partsidentical to those in the conventional technology are designated usingthe same numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, a speaker in the first embodimentcomprises:

-   -   a. a magnetic circuit 7 comprising a bottom plate 7B having a        center pole, a ring-shaped magnet 7C, an upper plate 7D, and a        magnetic gap 7A;    -   b. a frame 1A made of a plastic material and fixed to the        magnetic circuit 7;    -   c. a voice coil 3 inserted in the magnetic gap 7A of the        magnetic circuit 7;    -   d. a damper 4 fixed at an inner circumference to the voice coil        3 and at an outer circumference to the frame 1A, for supporting        voice coil 3;    -   e. a diaphragm 5 fixed at an outer circumference to the frame        1A, and at an inner circumference to the voice coil 3;    -   f. a ST 2 mounted to the frame 1A; and    -   g. a FW 6A connected at one end with a terminal plate 2B of ST        2, and at another end with a coil of the voice coil 3.

The voice coil 3 is formed of the coil and a voice coil bobbin aroundwhich the coil is wound.

The plastic frame 1A is attached with a relay portion 8. The relayportion 8 may be formed integrally as a part of the frame 1A, or a relayportion 8 provided separately may be mounted and fixed to the frame 1A.

The FW 6A is connected at one end to the terminal plate 2B, and atanother end to the coil of voice coil 3. The FW 6A is clamped at amidpoint by the relay portion 8.

The relay portion 8 comprises:

-   -   a clamping section 8A for clamping the FW6A; and    -   a wall section 8B provided with a slanting groove 8E.

As shown in FIG. 3, the wall section 8B is provided with two grooves 8E,for preventing FWs 6A with no insulation coating from making mutualcontact.

In place of the grooves 8E, a protrusion may be provided on the wallsection 8B between the pair of FWs 6A which is disposed along the wall.

FIG. 4A is a side view of the relay portion 8 of FIG. 3. FIG. 4B shows astate where a FW 6A is clamped by the relay portion of FIG. 4A. Asillustrated in FIG. 4B, a FW 6A is clamped at a midpoint by the clampingsection 8A, and is disposed along the slanting groove 8E to make an arcshape. While the speaker is in operation, the diaphragm 5 and the damper4 vibrate. The FW 6A is influenced by the vibration, and sometimes itvibrates itself; however, the arc shape prevents the FW 6A fromvibrating in the direction toward damper 4 and diaphragm 5. An ideallocation for FW 6A to avoid a collision with damper 4 or diaphragm 5 isat approximately a middle part between the diaphragm 5 and the damper 4,as illustrated in FIG. 2.

At an opening for inserting FW 6A into the clamping section 8A, an uppersloped face 8C1 and a lower sloped face 8C2 are provided and oppose eachother. At a location inwardly of the upper sloped face 8C1, for example,a protrusion 8D is provided and protrudes towards a plane of the slopedface 8C2.

The sloped face 8C1 and sloped face 8C2 facilitate an easier insertionof a FW 6A towards the clamping section 8A. The protrusion 8D preventsthe FW 6A from coming out of the clamping section 8A.

The above-described sloped face may be provided for either one of thefaces 8C1 and 8C2 (or, such a sloped face is not an indispensable item).

Also provided is a flat portion 8F extended from the lower sloped face8C2. During an operation for fixing a FW 6A, both ends of which areconnected to the respective places, into the clamping section 8A, anoperator may provisionally place a FW on the flat portion 8F, inpreparation for the succeeding inserting operation. This is quite anadvantage for such an inserting operation, especially for such a subtleaction conducted by the help of delicate tools like tweezers. The flatportion 8F contributes to making the inserting operation easier.

As shown in FIG. 5, the clamping section 8A of relay portion 8 islocated approximately on a line connecting the terminal plate 2B andwhich is tangent to a circumference of voice coil 3. Therefore, a FW 6Ais not always under the influence of a pulling force to take the FW 6Aaway from the opening of clamping section 8A.

Second Embodiment

A second exemplary embodiment of the present invention is describedreferring to FIG. 6. Description is made only of a difference from thefirst embodiment, eliminating a description of identical components.

The difference from the first embodiment is that there is a through hole8G provided underneath a clamping position of FW 6A in the relay portion8.

The through hole 8G facilitates visual observation from below of thestatus of a FW 6A being clamped. Depending on needs, a FW 6A may befixed at the clamping section 8A by applying an adhesive agent via thethrough hole 8G. Thus the operation of fixing the FW 6A becomes easier,and the status of adhesion can be observed visually via the through hole8G.

Third Embodiment

A speaker terminal for use in a speaker in a third exemplary embodimentof the present invention is described referring to FIG. 7.

A ST in the conventional technology is for soldering a relay cord 10,which has a relatively high rigidity and a restriction in terms of thelength is not very strict.

In the present invention, what is connecting between the ST and thevoice coil 3 is a FW 6A. The FW 6A is made to be soft and flexible sothat it can comply with the motion of voice coil 3. The FW 6A, however,is not allowed to make contact with neighboring components. In order tomeet this requirement, the length of the FW 6A needs to be controlledwithin a certain specific length. A ST 11 in the present embodimentprovides a structure that secures a certain specific length of a FW 6A.

As shown in FIG. 7, a ST 11 in the present embodiment comprises a casing11B made of a plastic material having its opening at one end, and a pairof terminal plates 11A1 and 11A2 protruding through the opening of thecasing 11B.

The pair of terminal plates 11A1 and 11A2 are disposed in the casing 11Bby a press-fitting method or by outsert molding in the casing 11B.

Each terminal plate 11A1 comprises:

-   -   a) a terminal 11C1 of terminal plate 11A1 protruding within the        casing 11B for leading electrical signals in;    -   b) a bent and cut end 11D1 located at another end of terminal        plate 11A1 and extending out of the casing 11B for receiving a        FW 6A or the like flexible wire; and    -   c) an upright wall 11E1 formed by cutting and bending a part of        the terminal plate 11A1 straight towards the casing 11B, so that        the upright wall stands opposed to the bent and cut end 11D1.

As seen in FIG. 7, the terminal plate 11A1 and the terminal plate 11A2are symmetrically disposed with respect to a middle plane. So,description of the terminal plate 11A2 is omitted.

The terminal 11C1 and 11C2 are for coupling with a connector whichdelivers signals from outside (not shown).

A FW 6A is connected to ST 11 in the following manner.

In the first place, a tip end of FW 6A is made to contact with theupright wall 11E1.

Under this state, the bent and cut end 11D1 is somewhat deformed so thatit can hold the FW 6A for a provisional fixing.

And then, the bent and cut end 11D1 and the FW 6A are soldered.

Thus, the FW 6A is provisionally fixed with its tip end making contactwith the upright wall 11E1, and then it is soldered at the bent and cutend 11D1. As a result, the FW 6A may have low dispersion in the lengthof a portion for connection to ST 11; accordingly, a portion connectingthe voice coil 3 and the ST 11 also has a uniform length.

The above-described configuration prevents the FW 6A from making contactwith neighboring components during sound reproduction by a speaker, so,no abnormal sounds will be generated by the speaker.

As a result of cutting and bending a part of terminal plate 11A1 forproviding the upright wall 11E1, a cut-portion 11F1 is formed. Thecut-portion 11F1 creates a narrowed section in the terminal plate 11A1,which limits conduction of the soldering heat imposed at the bend andcut end 11D1 towards the casing 11B. The upright wall 11E1 also plays arole as a heat dissipating fin.

The terminal plate 11A2 is symmetrical to the terminal plate 11A1, andconnection of a FW 6A to the terminal plate 11A2 is made in the samemanner. So, the description is omitted.

In the above-described configuration, the influence of soldering heat onthe casing 11B is restricted, and deformation of the casing 11B at theopening can be avoided. Thus, a connector can be inserted in a smoothand stable manner into a speaker terminal provided in accordance withthe present invention.

The cut-portion 11F1 (11F2) may be used as a window for observing thestatus of soldering from below.

Fourth Embodiment

Another example of a speaker terminal for use in a speaker of thepresent invention is described referring to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9.

A fourth exemplary embodiment also relates to a ST, like in the thirdembodiment.

As shown in FIG. 8, a ST 12 in the present embodiment comprises a casing12B made of a plastic material having its opening at one end, and a pairof terminal plates 12A1 and 12A2 protruding within the opening of casing12B.

The pair of terminal plates 12A1 and 12A2 are disposed in the casing 12Bby a press-fitting method or by outsert molding in the case 12B.

The terminal plate 12A1 comprises:

-   -   a bent and cut end 12D1 provided at an end of terminal plate        12A1;    -   a wall 12G1 provided at a terminal plate 12A2 side in parallel        to terminal plate 12A1, formed by bending a part of the terminal        plate 12A1, and    -   a cut-portion 12F1 provided in an area between the casing 12B        and the bent and cut end 12D1.

The bent and cut end 12D1 is identical to the bent and cut end 11D1 inthe third embodiment. The cut-portion 12F1 has an identical function asthat of the cut portion 11F1 in the third embodiment.

As seen in FIG. 8, the terminal plate 12A1 and the terminal plate 12A2are symmetrically disposed with respect to a middle plane. So,description of the terminal plate 12A2 is omitted.

The FW 6A is connected to ST 12 in the following manner;

-   -   in the first place, a tip end of the FW 6A is made to contact        with the casing 12B;    -   at this state, the bent and cut end 12D1 is somewhat deformed so        that it catches and provisionally fixes the FW 6A;    -   and then, the bent and cut end 12D1 and the FW 6A are soldered        together.

Thus, the FW 6A is provisionally fixed with its tip end making contactwith the casing 12B, and then it is soldered at the bent and cut end12D1. As a result, the FW 6A may have least dispersion in the length ofa portion for connection to ST 12; accordingly, a portion connecting thevoice coil 3 and the ST 12 also has a stable length.

Thus, the present embodiment provides the FW 6A with a certain specificlength required for a trustworthy connection to ST 12 on a stable basis,providing the same advantage obtained in the third embodiment.

The wall 12G1 dissipates the heat, and the cut-portion 12F1 curtailsconduction of soldering heat to the casing 12B preventing deformation ofthe casing 12B due to the heat. Resultant troubles in insertion andpulling out of a connector can also be avoided. A possible problem to becaused by a bent tip end of the FW 6A making contact with an adjacentterminal plate 12A2 can be prevented by the wall 12G1, as the tip end ofFW 6A can sometimes be bent by heat applied for soldering the FW 6Aafter it is provisionally fixed by the bent and cut end 12D1.

The above-configured STs in the third and fourth embodiments can be usedas well in other types of speakers which have no relay portion and noneed of placing a ST at the front part. The ST may be employed in anarrangement as illustrated in FIG. 10. It provides the FW 6A with acertain regulated length on a stable basis, and effectively preventsgeneration of abnormal sounds caused by contacting with the neighboringcomponents.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

A speaker in accordance with the present invention clamps and fixes theFW with a clamping section, and regulates the position of the FW with awall section. Thereby, a relay cord can be eliminated which contributesto a decreased number of components, and facilitates an easy assemblyoperation. Colliding of FWs with neighboring components during operationcan be avoided to prevent abnormal sounds.

A slope provided at the clamping section in at least one of the openingfaces, and a protrusion provided therein make insertion and fitting ofthe FW into the clamping section easier, and prevent pulling out of theFW therefrom.

A flat porch formed by extending the lower face of the opening at theclamping section functions as a guide plate for inserting a FW into theopening, making the inserting operation easier.

A pair of grooves, or a protrusion, formed in the wall of the clampingsection along the running direction of the FW contributes to prevent theFW from leaning in the right/left directions, and facilitates preciseplacement regulation for the FW. It also contributes to preventing theuncoated FWs from making mutual contact.

A through hole provided underneath the clamping section makes it easierto observe the state of the clamped FW.

With the speaker terminals each comprising a terminal plate providedwith a bent and cut end and an upright wall, the length of the FWbetween the ST and the voice coil can be regulated to a certain specificlength on a stable basis. Thereby, the quality dispersion due to theabove-described specific length of FW can be effectively suppressed, andspeakers are provided with low quality dispersion.

1. A loudspeaker comprising: a frame; a speaker terminal mounted on saidframe; a voice coil disposed on a voice coil bobbin; a first flexiblewire having a first end and a second end; wherein said first end of saidfirst flexible wire is connected to said voice coil disposed on saidvoice coil bobbin; wherein said second end of said first flexible wireis connected to a said speaker terminal; and wherein a relay portion isprovided on said frame between said voice coil and said speakerterminal, said relay portion comprising: a clamping section operable toclamp said first flexible wire; and a wall section provided at a voicecoil side of said clamping section, wherein said first flexible wire isdisposed on said wall section.
 2. The loudspeaker of claim 1, whereinsaid clamping section is further provided with an opening through whichsaid first flexible wire is inserted, wherein said opening is providedbetween two opposing faces, wherein at least one of said two opposingfaces is provided with a sloped face, and wherein said clamping sectionis provided with a protrusion disposed inward of one of said twoopposing faces.
 3. The loudspeaker of claim 2, wherein said relayportion is further provided with a flat portion extending from a lowersloped face of one of said two opposing faces.
 4. The loudspeaker ofclaim 1, further comprising a second flexible wire, wherein said wallsection is provided with a first groove and a second groove, and whereinsaid first flexible wire is disposed in said first groove and saidsecond flexible wire is disposed in said second groove.
 5. Theloudspeaker of claim 1, further comprising a second flexible wire,wherein a protrusion is provided on said wall section of said relayportion for preventing said first flexible wire and said second flexiblewire from making mutual contact.
 6. The loudspeaker of claim 1, whereinsaid relay portion is further provided with a through hole disposedbeneath said clamping section.
 7. The loudspeaker of claim 1, whereinsaid speaker terminal comprises: a casing having an opening; and aterminal plate integrated in said casing, wherein said terminal platecomprises: a terminal disposed within said casing for receivingelectrical signals from an external sound source; a bent and cut enddisposed outside of said casing; and an upright wall opposing said bentand cut end, wherein said upright wall is disposed between said casingand said bent and cut end.
 8. The loudspeaker of claim 7, wherein saidterminal plate of said speaker terminal is provided with a cut-portiondisposed between said upright wall and said bent and cut end.
 9. Theloudspeaker of claim 1, wherein said speaker terminal further comprises:a casing having an opening; and a pair of terminal plates integrated insaid casing, wherein each of said terminal plates comprises: a terminaldisposed within said casing for receiving electrical signals from anexternal sound source; a bent and cut end disposed outside of saidcasing; and a wall disposed between said bent and cut end and saidcasing.
 10. The loudspeaker of claim 9, wherein each of said terminalplates of said speaker terminal is provided with a cut-portion disposedbetween said bent and cut end and said wall.
 11. The loudspeaker ofclaim 1, wherein said first end of said first flexible wire is connectedto said voice coil in a manner such that said first flexible wirepartially surrounds said voice coil.
 12. The loudspeaker of claim 1,wherein said wall section comprises a slanted portion on which saidfirst flexible wire is disposed.
 13. A loudspeaker comprising: a frame;a speaker terminal mounted on said frame; a voice coil; a first flexiblewire having a first end and a second end; wherein said first end of saidfirst flexible wire is connected to said voice coil; wherein said secondend of said first flexible wire is connected to said speaker terminal;and wherein a relay portion is disposed on said frame between said voicecoil and said speaker terminal, said relay portion comprising: aclamping section operable to clamp said first flexible wire, whereinsaid clamping section is provided with an opening through which saidfirst flexible wire is inserted, wherein said opening is providedbetween two opposing faces, wherein at least one of the said opposingfaces is provided with a sloped face, and wherein said clamping sectionis provided with a protrusion for maintaining the first flexible wirewithin said opening.
 14. The loudspeaker of claim 13, furthercomprising: a second flexible wire; and a wall section provided at avoice coil side of said clamping section, wherein said wall section isprovided with a first groove and a second groove, and wherein said firstflexible wire is disposed in said first groove and said second flexiblewire is disposed in said second groove.
 15. The loudspeaker of claim 14,wherein a protrusion is provided on said wall section of said relayportion for preventing said first flexible wire and said second flexiblewire from making mutual contact.
 16. The loudspeaker of claim 14,wherein said first groove is formed as a first slanted portion and saidsecond groove is formed as a second slanted portion.
 17. The loudspeakerof claim 13, wherein said speaker terminal comprises: a casing having anopening; and a terminal plate integrated in said casing, wherein saidterminal plate comprises: a terminal disposed within said casing forreceiving electrical signals from an external sound source; a bent andcut end disposed outside of said casing; and a wall opposing said bentand cut end, wherein said wall is disposed between said casing and saidbent and cut end.
 18. The loudspeaker of claim 17, wherein said terminalplate is provided with a cut-portion disposed between said wall and saidbent and cut end.
 19. The loudspeaker of claim 13, wherein said firstend of said first flexible wire is connected to said voice coil in amanner such that said first flexible wire partially surrounds said voicecoil.
 20. A loudspeaker comprising: a frame; a speaker terminal mountedon said frame; a voice coil; a flexible wire having a first end and asecond end; a relay portion disposed on said frame between said voicecoil and said speaker terminal, said relay portion comprising: aclamping section operable to clamp said flexible wire; and a wallsection provided at a voice coil side of said clamping section, whereinsaid wall section is provided with a slanted portion on which theflexible wire is disposed; and wherein a height of said wall section isgreater than a height of said clamping section.
 21. The loudspeaker ofclaim 20, wherein said clamping section is provided with an openingthrough which said flexible wire is inserted; wherein said opening isprovided between two opposing faces, and wherein at least one of thesaid opposing faces is provided with a sloped face.
 22. The loudspeakerof claim 20, wherein said clamping section is provided with a protrusionfor maintaining said flexible wire within said opening.